Welcome to Key Stage 4

A guide to what students experience in years 10 & 11

Different qualifications studied

• All students study English, Maths, Science and RE, and will take a GCSE in these subjects

• They all take PE for 3 hours a fortnight• They will take four additional options to exam

level• Most courses lead to GCSE exams• We also offer some BTEC courses and

alternative qualifications

Recent national changes to exams

• The amount of coursework allowed is reducing; far more emphasis is put on final exams…. Pressure!

• Schools are strongly discouraged from entering students for exams before the end of Year 11. Students may well take a Science exam in Year 10, and part of their RE qualification, but not Maths or English

• Students in this year group will still receive A*-G grades! • Qualifications that are not GCSEs are graded Distinction/

Distinction*, Merit, Pass at either level 1 or level 2

Study Support

• Teachers’ availability• Lesson 6 opportunities• Small group or individual tuition• Year 10 exams – 23rd March onwards• Year 11 additional support – study room;

holiday revision sessions; intensive programme of exam preparation

Preparing for life after Henbury

• Visits to post 16 centres – summer of Year 10• Work experience opportunities – July Year 10• Year 11 programme– Higher Ideas Day– Progression clinics– Independent Advice and Guidance

• Support with applications

What can parents/ carers do?

SIMS Learning Gateway

• Encourage and support!• Know your child’s timetable• Check their planner and homework• Help them revise – test them• Let them read you their work• Give them a bit of space for work• Agree times when they will relax and

socialise… and when they won’t!• Limit the X box!